Editor’s Note. Correspondent Ruth Ham, who passed away on Monday night, submitted her final column to the Sanford News on Friday, Feb. 1. It appears below. Here at the Sanford News, we are grateful to Ruth for her coverage of Shapleigh all these years, and we offer our condolences to her surviving family and friends.

Marianne Normand and Colleen Feeney-Dyer, both of Shapleigh, have received approval from the planning board for a Conditional Use Permit to open a Wellness Center in leased space in Roger Berube’s building at 63 Emery Mills Road, Tax Map, 19 Lot 13.

The center will offer massage therapy, Reiki, yoga, meditation classes and various other healing modalities.

According to the approval, the classroom size shall not exceed 12 people, plus an instructor. Most classes will be held at night or on the weekends, when the day care is not open. For most of the time, there will be only one customer for each practitioner, Marianne and Colleen.

Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The Code Enforcement Office will permit signage.

Any changes to the conditions of approval as stated will need to be brought back before the planning board.

In other news, the board has issued Richard and Carolyn Levesque, of Sanford, a Residential Growth Permit for a seasonal conversion for their property at 26 Hawthorne Road on Square Pond, Tax Map 30, Lot 41. This is the second such permit that has been issued so far in 2013.

FOG BRINGS TOWN TO A HALT

Last week’s erratic fluctuations in the weather caused cancellations and prompted extra caution in Shapleigh.

Officials canceled a budget meeting at the Shapleigh Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 30, because dense fog created potential driving dangers. Other meetings were canceled too.

Motorists in Shapleigh tried to make their way through the cotton-thick swirling mass in front of them; headlight beams did not penetrate the fog. Drivers who had to venture out ended up taking at least twice the time to travel the same distance to their destinations.

HEARING TO FOCUS ON ENERGY QUESTION

The Shapleigh Board of Selectmen will conduct a public hearing at the town hall on Back Road on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. regarding the following referendum article:

“Do you favor our State and Federal Congregational delegations holding hearings, in consultation with the National Academy of Science, to devise and implement a sustainable energy policy for the nation?” (This policy must be based on peer-reviewed science and should seek to diminish polluting emissions.)

Voters will settle the question when Shapleigh holds its annual town election on Friday, March 8. Polls will be open at the town hall that day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

TOWN FARM MAY BE ASSESSED FOR CERTIFICATION

The Maine Tree Farm System (AFTS) recently recognized the Town of Shapleigh’s commitment as a Certified Tree Farmer.

To perform a certification assessment of the Maine Tree Farm Program, a random sample of tree farms is selected for on-site visits by professional foresters from NSF International, the organization that provides ATFS with third party recognition. If Shapleigh’s tree farm is chosen in the random sample for site visits, NSF’s tree farm inspecting forester will contact local selectmen and forest trustees this spring.

Shapleigh actually has about 500 acres in its Tree Farm. The town established the farm in the 1960s, when voters utilized a portion of the former Town Farm property as a forest. The rest of the property, which bordered Square Pond, was surveyed and sold as camp lots. Some shore land was also kept for a Town Beach. Fields were planted with trees.

Over the years, the property has been managed by a dedicated group of three trustees elected for staggering terms of three years, so that only one is elected each year.

The farm’s acreage has increased over the years, as the town sought to purchase abutting forested lots with funds that were generated by timber sales, according to the forest management plan. All funds earned by these sales go toward the care and maintenance of the forest and town beach as well as the acquisition of future parcels. The forest greatly enhances the rural atmosphere of the Square Pond area and makes Shapleigh a great place to own a lakeside camp or home.

IN COMPLIANCE

The state’s Department of Health and Human Services has informed town officials that Shapleigh’s General Assistance program is in compliance with the department’s statutes.

The department’s Family Independence Department conducted the review.

TOWNS UPDATE MUTUAL-AID AGREEMENT

According to Waterboro Fire Chief Mathew Bors, the Waterboro Fire Department is updating its Mutual Aid agreement with the Town of Shapleigh.

Both Bors and Shapleigh have copies of the agreement. The agreement shall continue as long as both parties agree with the provisions included, but it may be terminated with a 30-day notice of either party.

WANT TO GO SNOW TUBING?

Shapleigh Recreation is offering discount rates to local families who would like to go to Pine Meadows Snow Tubing Park at King Mountain in New Hampshire on Sunday, Feb. 17, from noon to 2 p.m.

With discount rates of $10 per person for a two-hour session, Shapleigh families are encouraged to sign up today by contacting Julie Tanner or Cindy Labbe to reserve your tickets.

Payment is required by Feb. 10. Transportation will not be provided.

Twenty participants are required to hold this event. The event will be canceled and payments will be refunded if this minimum is not met.

The Williams Property Advisory Committee met on Jan. 17, with members Madge Baker, Mark Cobb, Nate Gallant, Richard Goodwin and Bruce Lamb present. Scoutmaster David Wade and Scout Robert Elliott attended as guests and gave a presentation about Boy Scout Camporees that are held each year.

In 2013, the Scouts would like to hold the Camporee on the Williams property. While there, they hope to complete some property-improvement projects.

The committee will discuss this request at its meeting at the Shapleigh Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 In other business, the committee also discussed establishing an endowment fund for the Williams property by selling off a town parcel on the County Road. The committee will continue to consider the challenge of creating a stewardship endowment on Feb. 21.

Lastly, the committee also discussed installing a bronze plaque on a concrete block on the Williams property. Lamb said he had received an estimate of $3,100 from Heritage Memorial in Sanford. Voters will address this proposal at the upcoming annual town meeting.

Also at their January meeting, members discussed potential names for the property.

BATTER UP!

Parents with children who wish to play baseball with the Mousam Valley Little League are encouraged to sign them up at the Shapleigh Memorial School between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, 12 or 27, or between 9 a.m. and noon on Feb. 16.

For more information, contact Mike Smith at 206-6041.

FEED THE HUNGRY

Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the First Baptist Church at 600 Shapleigh Corner Road anytime when the building is open. Generally, if there is a car in the parking lot or an American flag is flying at the ramp doorway, there is someone there. Just inside, there is a wheelbarrow which is used as a receptacle for any donations for the food pantry.

There is also a need for personal items such as toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and brushes, since those items are not covered by food stamps.

An alternative dropping-off site is the Shapleigh Town Hall at 22 Back Road during regular office hours. The town clerk has a large carton marked “Food Pantry Donations.” The deacons of the church regularly pick up the donations to help keep the church’s food pantry stocked to serve folks in need.

If you have been one of those donating, thank you. If you have not, please consider doing so. Hunger is not only an issue on Thanksgiving or Christmas; it affects men, women and children throughout the entire year. During the holidays, many donors get that “feel good” feeling by participating. You can get that same feeling all year long as you help provide this vital service to our townspeople.

FREE CLOTHES!

The First Baptist Church at 600 Shapleigh Corner Road will hold a clothing giveaway and thrift sale on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Everyone is welcome.